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Double demerits for mobile phone use, running red lights

Police Minister Liza Harvey says the public will welcome the double demerits changes.

ABC News

Using a mobile phone while driving and running a red light can now attract double demerit points for West Australian motorists under changes to the law announced by the State Government.

The penalty for both offences is ordinarily three demerit points plus a fine but from Easter that will double on long weekends.

The changes were made after consultation with the Road Safety Council.

Council chairman Murray Lampard said evidence showed the double demerits system did work, and it was important mobile phone use was included.

"Distraction driving we know is accounting for probably 30 per cent of fatalities in Western Australia and it's a real issue for us," he said.

Police Minister Liza Harvey believes the public will welcome the decision.

"There's widespread concern in the community about the interaction with both mobile phone use and also the red light intersection crashes that cause so many serious and fatal injuries on our roads," she said.

"It is quite possible now, on a double demerit point weekend, if someone is using their mobile phone and speeding and they run a red light, you'll lose your licence."

Ms Harvey said road fatalities in WA had dropped 30 per cent in the past five years but the state still had one of the worst road tolls in the country. Last year WA's road toll was 162.